Kind words and soup curry are among the ways that Mariko Suga, 67, has supported her husband, newly elected Liberal Democratic Party President Yoshihide Suga, 71.
People close to them said that she "doesn't like to stand out and is committed to supporting her husband in the background."
During election campaigns, Mariko would be the first to arrive at Suga's office each day and socialize with his staff.
An 82-year-old Yokohama resident who has known the couple for many years praised her personality, saying, "There are many fans of Mariko here."
The couple married in May 1980, when Suga was the secretary of House of Representatives member Hikosaburo Okonogi. Mariko used to help out in Okonogi's office.
Mariko chose the blue tie Suga wore when he announced the current era name, Reiwa. About 10 years ago, Mariko became concerned about her husband's health and began to cook him soup curry, which is believed to have originated in Sapporo and is characterized by a spicy soup with the mainly vegetable ingredients in large chunks. Suga ate it every morning and lost 14 kilograms in just four months.
At a recent debate for the LDP presidential election, Suga drew laughter from the audience when he remarked: "I feel nothing but gratitude [to my wife]. She was the one whom I had struggled the most to get support from for this [election]."
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